_Beli._ What, is he gone? the devil break his neck, The fiends of hell torment his traitorous corpse! Is this the quittance of Belinus' grace, Which he did show unto that thankless wretch, That runagate, that rakehell, yea, that thief? For, well I wot, he hath robb'd me of a crown. If ever he had sprung from gentle blood, He would not thus misuse his favourer.
_Albi._ "That runagate, that rakehell, yea, that thief"! Stay there, sir king, your mouth runs over-much; It ill becomes the subject for to use Such traitorous terms against his sovereign. Know thou, Belinus, that Carinus' son Is neither rakehell, [no], nor runagate. But be thou sure that, ere the darksome night Do drive god Phœbus to his Thetis' lap, Both thou, and all the rest of this thy train, Shall well repent the words which you have sain.
_Beli._ What, traitorous villain, dost thou threaten me?-- Lay hold on him, and see he do not 'scape: I'll teach the slave to know to whom he speaks.
_Albi._ To thee I speak, and to thy fellows all; And though as now you have me in your power, Yet doubt I not but that in little space These eyes shall see thy treason recompens'd, And then I mean to vaunt our victory.
_Beli._ Nay, proud Albinius, never build on that; For though the gods do chance for to appoint Alphonsus victor of Belinus' land, Yet shalt thou never live to see that day;-- And therefore, Fabius, stand not lingering, But presently slash off his traitorous head.
_Albi._ Slash off his head! as though Albinius' head Were then so easy to be slashèd off: In faith, sir, no; when you are gone and dead, I hope to flourish like the pleasant spring.
_Beli._ Why, how now, Fabius! what, do you stand in doubt To do the deed? what fear you? who dares seek For to revenge his death on thee again, Since that Belinus did command it so? Or are you wax'd so dainty, that you dare Not use your sword for staining of your hands? If it be so, then let me see thy sword, And I will be his butcher for this time. [FABIUS _gives_ BELINUS _his sword drawn._ Now, Sir Albinius, are you of the mind That erst you were? what, do you look to see, And triumph in, Belinus' overthrow? I hope the very sight of this my blade Hath chang'd your mind into another tune.